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In 1163 Walter Fitzallan, Steward of Scotland signed a charter at Fotheringay giving the necessary land and revenue for the upkeep of a monastery. It was constructed several years later on the East bank of the White Cart Water, adjacent to a fording point on the main thoroughfare to Glasgow, with extensive grounds and orchards within its walls.
Over the years the Clunaic Monks, answerable to the Cluny in France, provided accommodation and supplies to travellers and became well known as a traveller's rest. The "villa" of Paisley grew close by, early settlers being those attracted to monastic institutions such as waulkers, brewers and millers.
In 1245 the monastery was raised to the dignity of Abbey, answerable to Rome. The High Stewards of Scotland, ascendant to the Royal Stewarts, frequented the Abbey Church as the family place of worship, and the monks educated several generations of Stewards and Kings of Scotland.
As Paisley had no municipal organisation, all matters of trade and commerce were directed by the officials of the neighbouring Royal Burgh of Renfrew, who levied tolls and customs up to the gates of the Abbey. In 1488, a Charter of Erection gave Abbot George Shaw the right to establish a burgh able to trade and hold a weekly market.
After the Reformation in 1587 in 1587, the burgh was raised to the status of Burgh of Regality in favour of its lay superior Lord Claud Hamilton, who made his home in the Palace of Paisley constructed adjacent to the Abbey Church. The Abbey was then dissolved and a portion of its properties and finances were granted to the town for public purposes. Abbey lands were fued for house building, and the monks continued their policy of education by assisting in the establishment of a Grammar School.
Paisley grew to become one of the most populous towns in Renfrewshire, ad by the late 17th century had also a strong industrial output. Increased contact with England and the Colonies following the 1707 Act of Union saw a meteoric rise in cloth production and thread manufacture.
By the mid 1750's a new town was blossoming on the west bank of the White Cart Water, spearheaded by the "Reckless" young Earl of Dundonald, who plundered stone from Paisley Abbey and its boundary walls to build the new settlement. Due to the continual growth of the town, many more churches were constructed, such as the High Church, the Middle Church and the Low church.
In the latter part of the 19th century, the small cotton thread manufacturing firms within the town were bought out by either the Clarke or Coates families, and in 1896 the rivals merged to form J & P Coates. Mills were built at Ferguslie and Seedhill, and philanthropy was exercised in the building of housing, schools and recreation places for workers and their families. The town had two main thoroughfares -- High street and Causeyside Street, with many wynds and lanes converging on them. In the late 19th Century, both these streets were widened and reconstructed in the French Renaissance style, and have since remained relatively unaltered.
Oakshaw Street was constructed on a ridge above High Street, its prominent locale and splendid view over the Clyde and the Campsie Hills made it the ideal location for houses for the wealthy,
Many grand buildings were granted to the town in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by various local dignitaries. Many more were constructed as memorials to these great families for their efforts in making Paisley the town it is today.
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